News

Underwater imaging equipment supplier Backscatter has landed the ultimate scoop, publishing a review of a pre-release Olympus TG-6 and the housing (PT-059) that will accompany it—on the day of the camera’s announcement!

So, first thing’s first: Those leaked specs you saw weren’t an invention, and if you were hoping for a new 25MP 1-inch sensor and 4K/60p video, you’ll be disappointed (and guilty of being unrealistic!). Indeed, the TG-6 appears to have very similar specifications to its predecessor, but as Backscatter is at pains to point out in their review, it’s the subtle but significant enhancements that Olympus has made to the operation of the camera that have made the TG-6 even easier to use and given it the ability to take even more impressive images—especially in the macro realm.

As Backscatter explains in their review, the TG-5’s Microscope Mode is essentially a Program mode with the ability to go ultra close to your subject—it doesn’t allow you to choose the aperture. The TG-6, however, now has a “Variable Macro System,” giving you access to the new Super Macro Autofocus and Manual Focus options in Aperture Priority, Program Auto, or Movie mode. That allows you to stop down to f/18 for maximum depth of field and, crucially, dark or black backgrounds. Another huge leap is in 4K video: Not only can you shoot 4K super macro—which wasn’t possible with the TG-5—but you can also access 4K and high-speed 1080p video in Aperture Priority and Program Auto modes, instead of having to switch to the Movie mode like on the TG-5.

Backscatter’s comprehensive review also details various other great under-the-hood improvements and lays out your housing and wet lens options. And the conclusion? “With the upgrade in usability, the Olympus TG-6 gets the top spot in our Best Compact Cameras for best overall compact camera.”

Watch the video below or check it out alongside the full article on Backscatter.
 

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